Kelly, you are one pure, unalloyed smart ass for the ages and I like that. - Jeff Monk

STAFF

Kelly Hughes - Mayor of Winnipeg'sCultural City Hall

Bookstore Owner Kelly Hughes has been called "staccato and laconic" by poet Méira Cook, "so funny I peed myself" by CBC Radio's Shelagh Rogers, and "off-putting, rude and tasteless" by an angry fellow named Chris. Kelly Hughes is the guy who hosts Kelly Hughes Live!, writes This Week at Aqua Books, was nearly sued by Campbells Soup, and was practically arrested by the Winnipeg Parking Authority. Armed with nothing more than a few jokes and half a theatre degree from the U of W, he runs Aqua Books. Not wanting being a pre-teen TV star (Let's Go!) to be his only claim to fame, he created Aqua Books out of white glue, tissue paper, macaroni and half an egg carton. He had an adult help him with the scissors.

Chandra Mayor - Acquisitions and Audience Development Guru

Chandra Mayor is an author and editor. She is the author of three books, August Witch (poems), Cherry (a novel), and the Lambda-nominated All the Pretty Girls (short stories). She has received several awards, including the John Hirsch Award for most promising Manitoba writer, and the Carol Shields Winnipeg book award. Her work has been widely published in magazines and anthologies, and she has appeared at festivals and venues across the country. She is also the Poetry Co-Editor for Prairie Fire magazine. She has a secret fondness for historical Christmas romance novels, a bit of a chick-lit fetish, minimal retail experience, but a great deal of enthusiasm.

Jay Diaz - Soundman/Key Grip

Jay Diaz used to be a poet and writer before he realized there was no money in it. He found the same of his BA in English Literature. This prompted his move to the lucrative world of live sound reinforcement and janitorial services. He likes comic books, sports and little ceramic houses. He is married and has many children. Thank you for your interest.

Curtis Nowosad - Director of Spang-a-Lang/Jazz Boss

Curtis Nowosad has quickly become Winnipeg's go-to drummer. At twenty-two, he has already performed in big band and small group settings with some of New York’s finest jazz musicians, including Stefon Harris, Marcus Printup, Ted Nash, Steve Wilson, Miguel Zenón, and his teacher and mentor Steve Kirby.

Julia Michaud - Copyright Hacker

Julia Michaud was the veteran graphic designer responsible for executing all of our illegal trademark-busting activities. When not conceptualizing brilliantly home in her PJs, she can be found hanging upside down on Tatsu® in Southern California's Magic Mountain® rollercoaster theme park. She's available for freelance work, online Scrabble®, James Brown singsongs and Peter Sellers film festivals.

NO LONGER STAFF (but still loved)

Dave Burrows - Tumblemaster

Dave Burrows was a college graduate, and BC transplant who was sucked into the Winnipeg vortex. (Until BC sucked back - and yes, BC does suck.) At AB he fought n00bs on the internet, smooth talked belligerent people, gave tours, sold books and gave radio interviews. He also earned his street cred by updating the Aqua Books Tumblelog and working on all our other social media sites. He is currently living in Uncle Russ's basement in Surrey, writing the future bestseller, Best Pick-up Lines Overheard At a Book Store.

Ariel Gordon - Cat Herder

Ariel Gordon is the author of three recent small press poetry chapbooks. She is a regular contributor to the Winnipeg Free Press' books section and, each September, is Blogger-in-Chief of HOT AIR, the official blog of THIN AIR (i.e. the Winnipeg International Writers Festival). Her first full collection of poetry is slated for publication with Palimpsest Press in spring 2010. When not being bookish, Ariel likes tromping through the woods and taking macro photographs of mushrooms. Ariel can be reached at ariel@aquabooks.ca.

Why is there no order form on this site?
At Aqua Books, we put out 500-1000 new books on our shelves every week. If we spent all of our time putting books online and taking them off again, we wouldn't be able to process so many great new titles. If you're looking for something specific, email us. We'll let you know if we have it (or if someone else has it), or we'll keep your name on file until a copy turns up. Or come into the store. It's really quite pleasant.